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Dr. Milton C. Schulze, Sr.
Dr. Milton C. Schulze, Sr. (Doc Schulze), DVM of Pawnee Oklahoma left this life peacefully at The Renaissance of Stillwater, surrounded by loved ones, to go to his eternal home on August 31, 2018 at the age of 93. Milton was born in Independence, Kansas on October 4, 1924, the son of Fred P. Schulze and Louise K (Luethje) Schulze. Milton has a twin sister Mildred and nine other siblings in his family. Milton was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to all, including the animals he doctored over the years.
Milton is survived by his wife Viola, two sons Milton Jr. and Dennis, 3 daughter-in-law's Sheryl (Tucker) Schulze, Jennifer (Riley) Schulze, Lera (Lee) Schulze, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 3 sisters. Milton was preceded in death by his two youngest sons, Stephen and John, daughter-in-Law Joyce (Sinclair) Schulze, 4 brothers and 2 sisters, his parents and numerous friends. Milton grew up and received his early education in Kansas where he worked on the family farm until The Great Depression when the family was forced to move to Independence, Kansas where his father could find work. There, Milton attended Lutheran Church and School, baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Milton left home after the eighth grade to find work to help support his family and was sent to work on his Uncle's farm near Adair, Ok. At the early age of 17, Milton enlisted into the Army Air Corps. He worked as an instrumentation mechanic on B-25 bombers. Milton was scheduled to ship out to the Pacific when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima effectively ending the war. His family enjoyed Milton's stories from his military years and especially his story of "hitchhiking" home from California after the war ended to see his family. After his discharge, he worked for several years in the rice fields of southern California. After returning to Adair Oklahoma, he settled into civilian life and became a ranch hand at Parker Ranch near there. On May 30, 1948, Milton married Viola Ruth Radke at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Their first home on the ranch did not have electricity or running water. The first two of four sons, Milton Jr., and Dennis where born while they lived on Parker Ranch. Milton wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian and soon moved his young family to Miami, Oklahoma to begin his pre-Veterinary Schooling at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College of Miami. While there, Milton finished his high school education and successfully completed his pre-Veterinarian Program. He was accepted into Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the couple moved their two young sons to Stillwater, Oklahoma. Four years later (1960) Milton graduated with honors and received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Milton then accepted a partnership with Dr. Henry and moved his family to Pawnee, Oklahoma where they built a large and small animal veterinary practice together.
Clients in Pawnee and the surrounding area nick named Milton "Doc Schulze" which has stayed with him for all these years. While continuing to practice Veterinary Medicine in Pawnee, Ok, Milton and Viola had two additional sons, Stephen and John. Milton enjoyed numerous years deer and elk hunting in Western Colorado with friends from Pawnee. Milton developed lasting friends where ever he was. He seemed to know almost everyone in Pawnee and the surrounding area. After nearly 21 years in Veterinary Practice in Pawnee, Milton and Viola sold their practice and moved to Sunburst, Montana near the Canadian Border, where Milton continued working another seven years for the United States Government as a Federal Veterinary Inspector. He loved his job there, and loved to ride horses during his neighbor’s cattle roundups. Milton retired in 1989 from his USDA Veterinary Position and returned to his home in Pawnee, Oklahoma. For years after retirement, Milton and Viola enjoyed returning to Montana to visit family and friends. Milton continued to work as a substitute Veterinarian where needed. He faithfully served in various community and church activities, serving as an elder at Zion Lutheran Church in Stillwater. He was a member of the board of directors at Pawnee National Bank. Besides his love of the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, he enjoyed working in his garden, tending his lawn, and helping his grandsons with their various livestock projects. He also consumed countless hours in his pursuit of reading and learning. Milton and Viola recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 504 Knoblock, Stillwater, Ok 74074. A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 504 S Knoblock St., Stillwater, Ok at 1:00pm, September 6, 2018. Burial will follow the funeral at Highland Cemetery, Pawnee, OK at approximately 3:00pm, September 6, 2018. A visitation will be held at Poteet's Funeral Home, 600 Illinois Street, Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058, 4:00pm - 6:00PM, September 5, 2018.